Paris-bound Ando admits almost giving up on Olympic dream

MANILA, Philippines – Olympic weightlifter Elreen Ando almost lost hope of making the Paris Olympics. 

Ando, who was competing in the same 59 kilogram category as Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, was just outside the top 10 of the Olympic Qualifying Ranking before April’s IWF World Cup. 

But after being able to record 100 kilograms for snatch and 128 kilograms for clean and jerk, she was able to punch her ticket to Paris for a total of 228 kilograms. 

This led her to barge into the top 10 as Diaz’s hopes of making another Olympic was dashed. 

In an interview on Thursday, Ando admitted that she felt depressed and stressed as she felt her chances dwindle. 

“When I was outside the rankings, I almost lost confidence in myself. I went to my coach and I said I want to get to the Olympics,” she told reporters in Filipino.

“We talked and my coach motivated me to fight. My coach was one of those who believed in me.” 

Ando is one of the Filipino athletes going to Paris along with boxers Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, fellow weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and John Ceniza, gymnasts Levi Ruivivar, Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo, fencer Sam Catantan and rower Joanie Delgaco.

Ceniza and Ando said that they are not promising to take home gold medals from the Games, but they will work hard for it. 

“I will have a lot to improve on. I need to work on a lot before I get the gold, but I am doing everything in training to reach that goal.”